BALTIMORE YEARLY MEETING
ANNUAL SESSION MINUTES
1-6 Eighth Month 2000
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1 Eighth Month Afternoon (Y2000-1 - Y2000-8) 1 Eighth Month Evening (Y2000-9) 2 Eighth Month Morning (Y2000-10 - Y2000-17) 2 Eighth Month Evening (Y2000-18 - Y2000-20) 3 Eighth Month 2000 Morning (Y2000-21 - Y2000-28) 3 Eighth Month 2000 Afternoon (Y2000-29 - Y2000-40) 4 Eighth Month 2000 Morning (Y2000-41 - Y2000-49) 5 Eighth Month 2000 Morning (Y2000-50 - Y2000-63) 5 Eighth Month 2000 Evening (Y2000-64 - Y2000-65) 6 Eighth Month 2000 Morning (Y2000-66 - Y2000-80) |
Third Day
1 Eighth Month 2000
Y2000-1 Opening. Friends settled into worship and a time of expectant waiting as we opened the 329th Annual Sessions of Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. We met on the campus of Wilson College, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.
At the table were Lamar Matthew, Clerk (YorkMM), Margaret Stambaugh, Reading Clerk (Gtysbg) and Ronald E. Mattson, Recording Clerk (BStnRn). Out of the silence we heard the Epistle from Switzerland Yearly Meeting, noting that we are nourished by the Spirit, especially as we move throughout the world.
The Clerk welcomed all in attendance, reminding us of the witness early Friends carried with them as they traveled through our geographic region, a "witness to the Light That Illuminates the world... . Like our spiritual ancestors we bring with us the same Concerns and witness, not as historic baggage, but rather as cherished beliefs, relevant, living understanding of what God wants."
Y2000-2 Welcome and Introductions. Visitors were welcomed and we were introduced to Philip Baisley, representing Earlham School of Religion, Richmond, Indiana, a member of Williamsburg, Indiana, Monthly Meeting and Jan Hoffman, Mt. Toby Monthly Meeting, New England Yearly Meeting. Jan will be delivering tonight's evening session address. First time attender Sue Gass-Burson, Langley Hill, introduced herself.
Y2000-3 Ad Hoc Search Committee. Marjorie Scott, Clerk, Representative Meeting (BStnRn), brought forth the names of Joan Anderson (Carlis) and Bonnie Stockslager (Herndn) to serve on the Ad Hoc Search Committee. APPROVED.
Y2000-4 Report of the General Secretary. Frank Massey, General Secretary of Baltimore Yearly Meeting spoke of capable and excellent staff working within the Yearly Meeting. He spoke of the individual staff members and their responsibilities:
Pam Tyng (Adelph), Administrative Assistant; Margo Lehman (SndSpg), Religious Education Secretary; Maria Bradley (SndSpg), Archivist and Secretary; Michele Levasseur (TkPkPM),Youth Secretary (she also works one day a week as Administrative Support person for the Washington Quaker Work Camps); and Josh Riley (HopCtr), Camp Administrative Secretary.
He also thanked the many volunteers who work within the Yearly Meeting. Continuing his report he noted that we had reached our goal in the G.O.O.D. and F.U.T.U.R.E. Campaigns. He has visited Pat Kutzner's project in New Mexico and has worked with the Peace Team program as they initiate a project in Burundi.
Frank reported that he and Beth Massey have come to a point in their lives where they are not currently participating in a program of war tax resistance. This has come about because of technical problems related to the outsourcing of payroll by the Yearly Meeting and because of a personal examination to seek clearness of his and Beth's witness.
Frank noted his appreciation to staff for allowing him to be gone on Friday mornings as he cares for infants in the Washington Children's Hospital - a time of richness and renewal.
[Note: The Meeting instructed the Recording Clerk to meet with Frank Massey and prepare a sentence or two to include in the Minutes re: Frank's challenge to the Yearly Meeting to examine our mission and our witness.]
A message that followed gave thanks to Frank for his ministry of enabling us to be more faithful in our lives.
Y2000-5 Manual of Procedure, Friends United Meeting. The first reading of the proposed changes to the Manual of Procedure was presented by Winifred Walker-Jones (WashFM). The changes they bring now deal with a proposed revision to our Manual to reflect the new structure in Friends United Meeting. (See R20005) APPROVED bringing the changes back to a future session for final approval. (See Y2000-57)
(Note: the items circulated in the Representative Minutes relating to Advancement and Outreach, Epistle, and Publication Committees in the Manual of Procedure will come to Fall Representative Meeting (October 28), if way opens. (See R2000-5))
Y2000-6 Minutes numbered 1 through 5 were read and ACCEPTED.
Y2000-7 As we moved toward closure, Lamar Matthew (YorkMM) spoke of the Spiritual State of the Meeting reports that Monthly Meetings send to Yearly Meeting. The Reading Clerk then read a letter from Marilyn A. Dyer of Chapel Hill, North Carolina (formerly of Langley Hill Monthly Meeting), reminding us that our annual State of the Meeting reports are a review of our spiritual journeys.
The annual Spiritual State of the Meeting report of Baltimore Monthly Meeting, Stony Run, was read. In this report we heard their response to the realities of living in the world: "We experience both disappointment at the Meeting's failures and joy at our rising up in victory... . Most important, the Meeting assists us to move toward a more immediate experience with the Divine."
It was noted that all Epistles received are posted in the hallway outside the door to the Meeting Room.
Y2000-8 We were joined by the arrival of Joseph Andugu, a member of Central Yearly Meeting, Kenya. He is the Executive Secretary, FWCC, Africa Section. He has been attending the recent Triennial sessions of Friends World Committee for Consultation in New Hampshire. He was welcomed and given the liberty of the Meeting.
Announcements were made and Friends moved into closing worship.
1 Eighth Month 2000
Evening Session
Y2000-9 As Friends entered for the evening session, a small group of elders held the evening's speaker, beloved Friend Jan Hoffman, in prayer. This undergirding soon permeated the room and nourished Jan as she began the account of her spiritual journey. Speaking to the theme "Walking with God: In the Light, in the Dark," she told Friends of the Spanish poet who warned all travelers to beware for there are no roads each step on a journey is like walking with Jesus as he walks on the sea. And a song that she quoted said, "Forget not in darkness what in Light ye knew to be the truth." She closed by calling us to look for those places where darkness and light are one; to those places that go deep.
2 Eighth Month 2000
Morning Session
Y2000-10 As we gathered for worship two Friends joined the Clerk and Recording Clerk at the table for the morning's business: Bonnie Stockslager (Herndn) as Reading Clerk and Joel Williams, Clerk of Young Friends.
The Reading Clerk read extracts from the Epistle of South Central Yearly Meeting, in which they told of focusing their sessions around the theme, Learning to be Quaker, a Lifelong Process. "Each family and each individual follows a different path to the Divine as we learn to be Quakers. By coming together with intention and love, we shared and strengthened each other's journeys."
Visitors introduced at this session were: Ed Dreby, Mount Holly Friends Meeting, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting; Jay Marshall, Earlham School of Religion, New Castle Monthly Meeting, Indiana Yearly Meeting; and Stephen Gulaba, Clerk of Uganda Yearly Meeting and Clerk, FWCC, Africa Section.
The Reading Clerk read a minute of travel and fellowship from Mount Holly Monthly Meeting, with endorsements from the Quarterly and Yearly Meetings, for Ed Dreby. They endorsed his travels under concern as he talks with Friends about global warming.
Y2000-11 Camping Program Committee. Josh Riley (HopCtr) delivered this report in the (temporary) absence of Alan Wright (SndSpg), Clerk. Josh talked about the wonderful activities at all four Baltimore Yearly Meeting camping programs. The Quaker Arts Camp has gone to Camp Opequon this year, returning to a site that was formerly used as a Quaker camp.
Dana Foster, Shiloh Camp Director, reported a good year at the camp, with adequate rainfall so that the valley was once again green after last year's drought. The final evening campfire program had to be moved indoors because of rain, but still provided a moving experience for all the campers. The new property manager is Jake Butler, who came to the camp from the camp's neighborhood.
Linda Garrettson, Director at Catoctin, spoke of the camp's great year, with a closing ceremony that just barely escaped the rainstorm that passed through Shiloh. During the campfire the campers explored the query, "What do you take with you from camp and how do you explain it to others?"
Elaine Brigham (SndSpg), Co-Director of the Arts Camp, spoke of the connectedness among the staff of all the camping programs and the fact that the camping programs help develop a real sense of family among all the campers and staff. "It is quite unbelievable to be grateful 24 hours a day," as the camping program has gone so well, even while moving to the new camp site. Elaine, Dana, and Linda expressed their appreciation to Baltimore Yearly Meeting for its support of the camping program.
Allison Downey, Assistant Director of Teen Adventure Camps told of the smoothness and depth of the trips that were taken this year. Leadership training is an integral part of the program and has developed leadership skills for a large number of the campers, especially as they work with neighboring communities.
Another Friend told of the positive article that appeared in a local paper about the Teen Adventure program. (The article is posted outside the dining hall during these sessions.)
Alan Wright (SndSpg) closed this session with a reminder that "there is a magic in this [camping] program, Friends. The camping program is in progress and is going well."
Y2000-12 F.U.T.U.R.E. Subcommittee (Friends Uniting To Use Resources Effectively) Howard Zuses (SndSpg), Co-Clerk of the FUTURE campaign, reported that the Subcommittee has now reached its goal, raising $600,000 in order to fully support our wonderful Yearly Meeting camping program. The body of the Meeting expressed its joy at this glorious news! He reminded us that the camping program is an on-going, living program that needs our continued support. The camping program helps campers develop a relationship with the natural world; helps create a comfort level with discomfort; and provides an opportunity for interdependence while at the same time supports individual growth and independence.
A complete financial report of this campaign will be prepared for the Yearly Meeting records.
Friends APPROVED recommending to the Stewardship and Finance Committee that this subcommittee of their committee be laid down, with deep appreciation.
Y2000-13 After a brief break in the session and in preparation for the report from Stewardship and Finance, the Reading Clerk read a description of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Park Avenue's attempt (in 1900) to deal with a Preparative Meeting's request for a reduction in its Yearly Meeting assessment.
The Yearly Meeting finally appointed 32 Friends to a committee to view this matter and the committee reports later in the session, "We are, therefore, united in the feeling that the present appropriation among the Quarters is about as near what is should be as we are able to make it."
[Laughter from the Body of the Meeting.]
Y2000-14 Report of the Stewardship and Finance Committee. Marion Ballard (Bethes), Clerk, brought five items forward:
1) A recommendation to lay down the FUTURE Subcommittee.
APPROVED.
2) The first reading of the budget for the following year. As she went through the proposed budget, she noted that there are no substantial changes from last year's figures. Final action will be sought later this week.
3) Apportionments were briefly noted. They will be brought forward again later this week.
4) Conservation Easement on the Camp Catoctin Property. (See R2000-18) The Maryland State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) proposes to give Baltimore Yearly Meeting, as owner of the Camp Catoctin property, between $230,000 and $250,000 for a conservation easement on the land. The easement is desired by the DNR in order to protect certain flora and fauna on the property. Terms of the easement will be available at this session and will be found as an appendix to these Minutes. Friends AGREED to lay this matter over to a future session. If approval is given, Frank Massey will review the final document for its acceptability by the Yearly Meeting and a Yearly Meeting officer [Trustee] will sign the legal document(s) on our behalf. Questions were raised as to possible disposition of the funds, when received. The answer was given that any payment to the Yearly Meeting would be conserved by Yearly Meeting Trustees until final use is decided on by the Yearly Meeting.
5) Donnelly Property Report. (see R2000-16 and 17) Representative Meeting approved on 17 Sixth Month 2000 that a purchase option be taken on the Donnelly property adjacent to Camp Catoctin. Monies have come in to pay for an option on the possible purchase of this land. The purchase option may set a minimum and a maximum amount to be paid for the land once the "percolation" testing has been determined. This matter is laid over to a future session for decision and/or possible action.
Y2000-15 The Minutes to this point were APPROVED.
Y2000-16 Nurture and Recognition of Ministry Sharon Stout (Adelph), Co-Clerk said that this committee has drafted Guidelines for Friends Embraced in the Ministry. Sharon outlined the specific points on the proposed Guidelines that the Yearly Meeting considered.
Being embraced by the Yearly Meeting means that the Yearly Meeting:
The guidelines also include a glossary of definitions and illustrations. The entire 14-page proposal will be returned to a future session for modification or approval.
Y2000-17 The Minutes to this point were APPROVED.
Announcements were made, including that cards to absent Friends were available for signing and the bookstore would be open after this session.
As Friends continued in worship, excerpts were read from the State of the Meeting report from what had been Patapsco Worship Group, now Patapsco Preparative Meeting: "As we begin our fourth year together, we are mindful of the need for balance: balance between worship and other planned activities; development of self versus development of the group; and nurturing the Meeting community versus reaching out in social action... . Even as we struggle with these and other challenges before us, we note that our very awareness of areas which are lacking is a measure of the level of community which has been achieved, and which we now expect."
2 Eighth Month 2000
Evening Session
Y2000-18 Peggy Fry (WestBr) joined Lamar Matthew (YorkMM) and Ronald Mattson (BStnRn) at the table to serve as Reading Clerk for the evening's session.
Out of the silence Peggy Fry read the Epistle sent to our Yearly Meeting from Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC). "...we remember that our authority comes not from committee work, not from our Nobel Peace Prize, not from our heritage it comes from the reality that the Living God dwells in our very midst. God is at work in each one of us." The epistle reminded us that we are people called to listen, a people gathered to seek, and a people sent forth to serve.
Y2000-19 Reports from our Sister Quaker Organizations
Friends World Committee for Consultation. Nancy McIntyre (SndSpg) and Florence (Flossie) Fullerton (SndSpg) led the presentation explaining the work of this world-wide body of Friends. They spoke of this year's Triennial Sessions of FWCC, with 260 Friends from 49 countries present. The Triennial theme was "Friends: a people called to listen, gathered to seek, sent forth to serve." Our guests from the Africa Section of FWCC, Joseph Andugu and Steven Guloba, joined in welcoming us in their own language and later spoke of the challenges facing their homelands, including the AIDS epidemic and the need for peace initiatives.
American Friends Service Committee. Sandy Rappeport, the relatively new Regional Director of the Middle Atlantic Region office of AFSC, reminded Friends that the boundaries of this region stretch from Northern New York state to Southern West Virginia. Programs include work in criminal justice, residential conflict resolution, and a visionary effort to deal with a rising homicide rate in Baltimore. They also are working in an inner city school in Washington, D.C., with an after-school video project, an advocacy campaign to change punitive welfare rules and regulations near Charleston, and a women's empowerment program in rural West Virginia.
Friends General Conference. Bob Fetter (Roanok) began by sharing the news that next year's FGC "Gathering" will be in Blacksburg, Virginia, from June 30th to July 7th, 2001. Friends were encouraged to propose possible workshop titles for this annual friendly time together. The myriad activities of FGC were outlined in their report, circulated before this Yearly Meeting session in Advance Reports.
Friends United Meeting. Howard Fullerton (SndSpg) spoke about FUM. At their 1999 Triennial they began work on "Jubilee 2000," a program to deal with the crushing debt of the world's poorest countries. A study guide and a questionnaire have been prepared as a discussion tool and Friends APPROVED sending it to Monthly Meetings within BYM. Responses to this communication are expected to be returned to Spring Representative Meeting in 2001. Staff changes have taken place in their Richmond, Indiana, office, with a new editor of Quaker Life having been appointed. Wayne Carter is the newly appointed interim General Secretary of FUM. Howard Fullerton is the new Clerk of the FUM Finance Committee. Howard mentioned that the new Friends group gathering in Beltsville, Maryland, sponsored by the FUM Ministries Commission and named Friends In Christ, was not funded for the current year. Howard recommended that BYM explore whether or not it was time to reach out to this group. The Yearly Meeting Clerk indicated that this concern will be referred to BYM's Ministry and Counsel and Nurture and Recognition of Ministry committees.
William Penn House. Errol Hess, speaking for William Penn House, opened his presentation by challenging us to give them more ideas for future programs at the House that would benefit both the Yearly Meeting and individual meetings. Errol told of the new beds and mattresses in the facility. William Penn House is used extensively and presents a welcome Quaker education and hospitality presence in our nation's capital.
Friends Peace Teams. Speaking for Friends Peace Teams, Mary Lord (Adelph) spoke movingly of this program, the program being under the care of Baltimore Yearly Meeting. "It is a story of God's opening to Friends," as an opportunity to minister both at home and abroad in the resolution of conflict. The U.S. Peace Teams program is supported by 14 Yearly Meetings. "Every Friends meeting and church should be a center of peace making." Mary, also speaking for Friends Committee on National Legislation, told us of the work that this Quaker political presence in Washington had undertaken, including extensive work to stop the bombing in Kosovo. FCNL has been encouraging young people at its annual meeting and has set up a special lobbying weekend when these young adults are in D.C.
Y2000-20 The minutes, describing the evening presentations, after corrections, were APPROVED, including the action items.
3 Eighth Month 2000
Morning
Y2000-21 As Friends gathered to worship and transact business of the Yearly Meeting those at the table were introduced: Lamar Matthew (YorkMM), Clerk, Ronald Mattson (BStnRn), Recording Clerk, and Teresa Dutton (BHomew), Reading Clerk.
Out of the silence Teresa read excerpts from the Epistle from Monteverde Monthly Meeting, Costa Rica, saying that "...creating 'unity together' is a process we work on steadily and at many levels." "Some of our successes are achieved together, and in some cases we have supported the leadings of individuals ... As we face our challenges ... we are aided by a sense of gratefulness and reverence for each other, for the beauty to which we are witnesses, for the strength we continue to be given and for the Power which, when we most need it or least expect it, transforms our everyday lives into Divine experience."
As we continued to worship and began to move into the consideration of business, the Clerk announced that Aaron Teel (Charlt) and Theodore (Ted) Siedlecki (Charlt) would be serving as sign language interpreters for this session.
A visitor introduced to this session was (Ms.) J. E. McNeil (WashFM), Executive Director of the National Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors (NISBCO)/Center on Conscience & War.
Y2000-22 Friends and the World Council of Churches. Laura Nell Morris (HopCtr) spoke to a concern raised at the recent FWCC Triennial regarding Friends participation in the World Council of Churches. She explained that Friends have been deeply involved in WCC and have helped to lead the World Council to consider accepting a process that they will use to arrive at all decisions. The WCC has also been instrumental in fostering a program that attempts to deal with how we may overcome violence in our world. She urged Friends to consider how we might be more instrumental in helping Friends realize the value of this organization and the unique role Friends are able to play.
Y2000-23 Report from Mary Lord, Released Friend. Mary Lord (Adelph) was asked to report on her ministry, which had been embraced by this Yearly Meeting. (See Y99 35 and 41) Mary, using the visual aid of wearing two hats, spoke of the various kinds of work she had been doing. She has been working with the Quaker Volunteer Service and Witness Network, the Friends Peace Team Project and the FCNL Young Adult Outreach Program, helping to strengthen these historic forms of Quaker service.
The Institute of Quaker Studies at Earlham College will probably become the facilitator of a new approach to reactivating volunteer service in the Religious Society of Friends.
Martha Gay (Adelph) spoke of Mary's support committee. She spoke of three areas of importance to the support committee:
Friends APPROVED an extension of Mary Lord's work for the coming year. We note that she is now expecting to complete many of her goals by next year's Yearly Meeting sessions.
Y2000-24 Search Committee. As Friends returned to the room after a break Marjorie Scott (BStnRn), Clerk of Representative Meeting and Lauri Perman (StaCol), former Recording Clerk for Yearly Meeting, were at the table. Liz Hofmeister (Bethes), Clerk of Search Committee, brought forth the names of Lamar Matthew (YorkMM) for Yearly Meeting Clerk, 20002002, and Ronald E. Mattson (BStnRn) for Yearly Meeting Recording Clerk, 20002002. The Yearly Meeting APPROVED these names and their terms of service.
The Search Committee also brought forward the names of Edward (Ted) Hawkins (Bethes) and Dellie James (BStnRn) to serve an additional two years as members of the Supervisory Committee (Class of 2002). The Yearly Meeting APPROVED their names and their terms of service.
It was also reported that Beverly Moore (Harsbg) had been previously approved by Representative Meeting (R99-38) to serve until 2002 on the Yearly Meeting Nominating Committee. She has begun service.
The Search Committee presented the names of two additional new members for service in the 2003 class of the Nominating Committee: Katrina Mason (Bethes) and Nancy Beiter (WashFM). Approval of these names will lie over until the second reading of the Search Committee report. Minute Number 23 was read, corrected and approved.
Lamar Matthew and Ronald Mattson returned to the room at this time, bringing with them two bouquets of beautiful roses. The roses are given to our sessions annually by a Chambersburg friend, Helen Gross. We will ask Ann Heaton (GuPwdr) to express our thanks.
Y2000-25 First Reading, Nominating Committee Report. Elizabeth (Susie) Fetter (Roanok) and Katrina Mason (Bethes) presented the first reading of the Nominating Committee's report. Susie mentioned that this first reading is like a "dream in process." Susie and Katrina explained the process used by the Yearly Meeting Nominating Committee to search out appropriate names for possible service on Yearly Meeting committees.
A preliminary list of nominees was distributed for consideration. Additions and removal of certain names were presented verbally and will be incorporated in the final report. We minute the resignation of Carole Brown (LangHl) from the Sandy Spring Friends School Board.
The final report will be returned to a later business session.
Y2000-26 Ad Hoc Committee on Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Concerns. Bonnie Stockslager (Herndn), Clerk of this Ad Hoc Committee, commented on a written report, "Summary of Same Gender Marriage Responses from Meetings in Baltimore Yearly Meeting." She noted that there are more responses that have come into the Yearly Meeting Office. While there is unity within some Meetings, Bonnie's conclusion was "Friends, we do not have unity on Virginia Half Year's Meeting's statement."
What she sees as needed now is listening, listening respectfully, eagerly learning of one another's concerns, learning of other Meetings. We must be patient, tender, and follow Quaker process, regardless of how long it takes.
A request was made for all the minutes to be made available to individual Monthly Meetings. This was agreed to.
Y2000-27 Ted Siedlecki (Charlt) told of his and Aaron Teel's (Charlt) traveling under concern for same gender unions. Travel has taken him to Nottingham Quarter, Menallen Meeting, and Sandy Spring Meeting. He felt that the hardest part of their undertaking is when people won't speak to the issues that are sometimes so difficult.
Y2000-28 The minutes were read, corrected, and approved. As we continued in worship, we were reminded of the Biblical admonition that we must bear one another's burdens and that we should celebrate diversity.
Meeting closed after a final time of expectant waiting.
3 Eighth Month 2000
Afternoon Session
Y2000-29 Joining the Clerk and the Recording Clerk at the table as we began our afternoon worship was Rosalind Zuses (SndSpg), Reading Clerk. Ted Siedlecki (Charlt) served as sign language interpreter.
Excerpts from Northern Yearly Meeting were read, noting that it was a good year. This year they "...continued to build bridges between ourselves and El Salvador Yearly Meeting and are increasing intervisitation between the two... . The number of members and attenders in our Yearly Meeting's constituent Meetings has doubled since 1986 to almost 1500."
The Presiding Clerk read the following statement he had written after the previous session:
If Friends will remember, Virginia Half-Year's minute from last annual session asked us to consider full welcome to members without regard to sexual orientation. This would also include marriages between individuals of the same gender. Baltimore Yearly Meeting thanks Virginia Half Year's Meeting for the opportunity to dialogue on this concern. We recognize that many Meetings have opened discussion, approved minutes, and likewise revisited existing minutes. We see this as an on-going process with dialogue and outcomes still to happen. Baltimore Yearly Meeting encourages Monthly Meetings to continue laboring with this concern.
Friends APPROVED this addition to our minutes.
Y2000-30 Publications Committee. Howard Fullerton (SndSpg) spoke for the Publications Committee. He reminded us that this Committee was asked to work on a revision of Faith and Practice to ensure clarity of proposed changes. The proposed change that was currently before them concerned "Questions asked of a couple considering marriage." The proposed changes came from Chesapeake Quarterly Meeting and Goose Creek Monthly Meeting. The Yearly Meeting directed the Publication Committee to function as a "Faith and Practice Revision Committee" for this matter. APPROVED.
Y2000-31 Task Group on the Structure of the Yearly Meeting's Committees and the Role of Staff. Howard Fullerton noted that Representative Meeting had established a Task Group (See R2000-21) to review the role of committees and staff within the Yearly Meeting. Their assignment is to:
The Task Group is to call on as many Friends as may be interested. This group will present their finding to the June 2001 Representative Meeting.
Y2000-32 The Sue Thomas Turner Quaker Education Fund. Rosalind Zuses (SndSpg) told the Yearly Meeting that the purpose of this fund is "to support the understanding and practice of Quaker faith in schools, and to support the growth of a life lived in the Spirit by members of the school communities." Since 1997 they have assisted fourteen schools with grants from this fund.
The Fund requests permission to use the Baltimore Yearly Meeting's mailing list for a one-time fund-raising mailing. APPROVED. (The Fund will co-ordinate the mailing date with the Stewardship and Finance Committee.)
Y2000-33 Search Committee. Liz Hofmeister (Bethes) brought forward the name of David Hines (Rchmnd) for the Nominating Committee in the class of 2003. This name will be presented with the other names of the Search Committee at a later session. (See Y2000-24)
Y2000-34 Winchester Centre and Hopewell Monthly Meeting. Baltimore Yearly Meeting recognizes the merger of Winchester Centre Monthly Meeting with Hopewell Monthly Meeting. The new name will be Hopewell Centre Monthly Meeting. Trustees are asked to assure the Yearly Meeting that the matters of property and property titles were handled in good order during the merger.
Y2000-35 The previous minutes were read, corrected and APPROVED, with the exception of Minute Number 29, which approval was deferred to a later time.
Y2000-36 Following the afternoon break, the Clerk read a passage from the Elders at Balby, written in 1656. The Clerk thanked Jason Eaby (Notthm) as the person who has so ably operated our audio system for several years.
Y2000-37 Ad Hoc Committee on Friends Schools. Annette Breiling (SnVyPM), speaking for Ann Wilcox (WashFM), Clerk, presented a printed draft of a charge that would be used should the Yearly Meeting establish a Committee on Friends in Education. The draft outlined the objectives for the committee;
One Friend asked what the committee name would be. The matter will return to our Meeting for Business on Seventh Day.
Y2000-38 The Reading Clerk read a portion of an article in the Friends Intellegencer in 1867 urging Friends to seek justice for the Native Americans in this land. "We are glad to know ... that a number of judicious Friends have been set apart ... to attend to this concern."
Y2000-39 Moratorium 2000 Campaign. Jack Fogarty (SndSpg), Clerk of Criminal and Restorative Justice Committee, brought to the floor of the Meeting a request to endorse a minute proposed by Bethesda Meeting on the Moratorium 2000 Campaign. The minute reads:
The Moratorium 2000 Campaign is a global petition drive calling for a moratorium on the death penalty. In the United States the moratorium effort affirms the Quaker belief that all human life is sacred and is not ours to end. The United States should end its increasingly lonely stance as a killer of people in its prisons. It is our hope that a moratorium on carrying out executions will cause people to reflect on the true nature of the death penalty. With that reflection, all may come to support its permanent abolition.
In uniting with the moratorium, Baltimore Yearly Meeting commits to support its objectives by collecting signatures for the petition. The signatures will be forwarded to the American Friends Service Committee, which is coordinating the U. S. effort for the Moratorium 2000 organization.
The drive is seeking to obtain 1,000,000 signatures by Human Rights Day, December 10, for presentation to the Secretary General of the United Nations. APPROVED.
Y2000-40 The minutes were read, corrected, and APPROVED.
The Reading Clerk read a letter sent to the Yearly Meeting Clerk from Charlottesville Monthly Meeting asking for a declaration of a moratorium on the death penalty.
The worship was closed with the traditional shaking of hands.
4 Eighth Month 2000
Morning Session
Y2000-41 At the table as Meeting opened were Lamar Matthew (YorkMM), Clerk, Maria Bradley (SndSpg), Reading Clerk, Ronald Mattson (BStnRn), Recording Clerk and two Young Friends: Rachel Stacy (GnPwdr), Recording Clerk of Young Friends and Katie Deweerd (Mdlthn), Assistant Clerk and Acting Clerk of Young Friends.
Friends allowed photographs to be taken while Young Friends were with us.
The Reading Clerk read the Epistle of the 179th session of Ohio Valley Yearly Meeting. Their Epistle noted that this "marks a point where we acknowledge ourselves as a faith community, that the Divine constantly calls us to ministry, and that, in prayer, we, as individuals who are part of a community, discern the particular ministry to which we are called... . If one of us is truly led to travel in the ministry, we all make the journey. If one of us is called to engage social injustice, we all take up the fight..."
Roll call of Friends Meeting found Friends present from: Williamsburg, Roanoke, Richmond, Midlothian, Maury River, Harrisonburg, Floyd, Charlottesville, Blacksburg, Oxford, Little Britain/Eastland, Little Britain/Penn Hill, Friends Meeting of Washington, Langley Hill, Hopewell Centre, Herndon, Goose Creek, Bethesda, Alexandria, Adelphi, Annapolis, Baltimore/Homewood, Baltimore/Stony Run, Gunpowder, Sandy Spring, Carlisle, Frederick, Gettysburg, Pipe Creek, York, Deer Creek, Dunnings Creek, State College, and West Branch. We also rejoiced in the presence of visitors from two Yearly Meetings in Africa, Uganda and Center (Kenya).
Y2000-42 Junior Yearly Meeting. Eric Uberseder (DunCrk/Oxford) began by introducing all the special units in this year's Junior Yearly Meeting: Nursery; Morning Classroom; Afternoon program; Junior Young Friends; and Evening program. The Friends who worked on all these programs were: Nursery: Karen Cunnyngham (Adelph), Ellen Johnson (StaCol), Jules Argitineau (StaCol), Emory Baldwin (Adelph), Charmaine Gilbreath (WashFM), Joy deLeon (SndSpg), and Leah Uberseder (DunCrk/Oxford) Morning Classes: (Four year olds) Marcy Seitel (Adelph), Norman Williams (DunCrk), Rising Kindergarten/1st grade June Confer (Adelph), Susan Williams (DunCrk), Rising 2nd/3rd: Lina and Eric Uberseder (DunCrk/Oxford), Rising 4th/5th: Suzanne Lamborn (LtlBrt), Sara Buchanon-Wollaston (DeerCk), Afternoon Program: Linda Uberseder (DunCrk/Oxford), Susan Williams (DunCrk), Alessa Giampaolo Keener (BStnRn), Jim Lehman (SndSpg), Carol Nezzo (Adelph), Janey Pugsley (SndSpg), Mary-O King (Bethes), Evening Program: Susan Vanderhof (BStnRn), Norman Williams (DunCrk), Sarah Buchanon-Wollaston (DeerCk), Darcy Lane (SndSpg), Mary Campbell (WashFM), Junior Young Friends (JYFs): Linda Coates (LtlBrt), Mary Campbell (WashFM), Leah Uberseder (DunCrk/Oxford), Mary-O King (Bethes), Katrina Mason (Bethes), Darcy Lane (SndSpg), Carol Nezzo (Adelph), Betsy Tobin (Fredrk), and Jim Lehman (SndSpg).
The Morning Classroom program said that "we do not just walk cheerfully over the world, we dance." Junior Young Friends have appointed their Clerks for the session: Josh Williams (DunCrk), Clerk, Sean Wilner (LangHl), Co-Clerk, and Rose Whitney (Richmd), Recording Clerk.
Eric introduced the Young Friends Acting Clerk, Katie Deweerd (Mdlthn), who presented the FAPs (Friends Adult Presences) who have been involved this week: Tom Fox (LangHl), Kristy Vant (Alexan), Alan Schintzius (Rchmnd), Tom Horne (TkPkPM), Pete Schenck (TkPkPM), Peggy O'Neill (Rchmnd).
The Young Friends are working to make a smooth transition from one set of officers to another and are busily preparing a great Saturday evening "coffee house."
Just as we put our whole selves into worship, all the Friends present put their whole selves into celebrating the joys of our Young Friends and their programs, "Dancing With God." The Yearly Meeting participants then danced the "Hokey Pokey."
Y2000-43 Introductions. Ted Siedlecki (Charlt) and Aaron Teel (Charlt) are doing sign language signing for this session.
Guests from the Torreon/Starlake Chapter of the Navajo Nation in New Mexico were introduced. Present were Dave Rico, Chapter President, Joe Lee Cayaditto, Chapter Vice-President, Rena Roan, Chapter Secretary-Treasurer, and Doreen Beyal, Evie Tacmin. (Charlene Toledo was not able to be present.) Nancy Lynn Ward Bridges (Alexan) introduced herself and invited Friends to talk to her about using sign language interpreters.
Y2000-44 Ministry and Counsel and the State of the Yearly Meeting Report. Miriam Green (BHomew) delivered Ministry and Counsel's State of the Yearly Meeting report. She read the report, noting "The core of Quakerism is a community found in worship" and "Meetings should be a reflection of God's openness to all in love."
The report closed with a question for all Friends: "Is the spiritual state of the meeting to be discerned on First Day or is the true spiritual state of the meeting defined by our 'living those days' on Second Day through Seventh Day?" Friends ACCEPTED the report.
Y2000-45 With additions and corrections being noted, all the minutes for the morning section were read and APPROVED. We then returned to Minute Number 29, which had been laid over from yesterday. It was read and APPROVED.
Y2000-46 Second Reading of the Nurture and Recognition of Ministry Guidelines. (See Y2000-16). Sharon Stout (Adelph), Clerk, briefly reviewed the draft guidelines report and mentioned the good discussion at a threshing session held earlier this week. Sharon reminded us that this is a working document and will be reviewed at Representative Meeting in Sixth Month 2001. A report will be brought back to next year's Yearly Meeting session. A comprehensive discussion followed.
Friends accepted this draft with the understanding that three committeesNurture and Recognition of Ministries, Stewardship and Finance and Ministry and Counselwill continue to work with the document. Their next report to Yearly Meeting will appear in advance of the 2001 business sessions. APPROVED.
Y2000-47 Indian Affairs Subcommittee Report. Peter Schenck (TkPkPM), Clerk, was joined by our guest from Torreon/Starlaake and the Subcommittee member at the front of the sessions. They presented an Addendum to Indian Affairs Subcommittee Report:
Officials of Torreon/Starlake (TSL) Chapter, Navajo Nation and the Subcommittee met together yesterday for the first time. We celebrated and affirmed the profound worth of the work together over the past four years.
We, the officials of TSL and the Subcommittee, are united in our desire to see the relationship continue. Both groups hear concerns important to the on-going work. A primary concern is development of sufficient administrative support to maintain and strengthen current projects and develop new ones. This support will also make it possible for Pat Kutzner to give more time to the original objectives of training and grant writing. We will seek additional resources for this support, including the encouragement of volunteers from BYM and beyond. We will continue the dialogue through the coming year, inviting TSL officers, staff, and teens to return to Yearly Meeting sessions in 2001.
We ask your approval to continue Pat Kutzner's presence in TSL with a review of the work at next year's Session. For the first time, we want to encourage travel between the two communities by providing funds, so ask approval also to accept donations to this end. APPROVED.
Y2000-48 Report from Pat Kutzner. This embraced Friend shared with the Meeting her reflections about her past year in Torreon/Starlake. In addition to her verbal report, she has brought photographs for Friends to view. She said that several Friends have visited the Navajo Nation this past year and have come away enthused. As way opens, there will be a call for more volunteers to participate in special projects that emerge in the community.
Y2000-49 The previous Minutes were read, worked on, and APPROVED. We agreed to add the names of the leaders of the Young Friends programs to earlier minutes. APPROVED.
As Friends were ready to conclude this session, the Clerk reminded us that Faith and Practice says "We must be concerned about the welfare of every member of the Meeting community. While Friends need to guard against prying or invasion of privacy, it is nevertheless essential that meetings are aware of the spiritual and material needs of members of the community and express caring concern in appropriate ways." We have heard recently of an accident that Mark Brabson of Eastland Preparative, Little Britain Monthly Meeting, suffered earlier this year. Large medical bills resulted. Little Britain has agreed to accept financial contributions from Friends able to assist.
5 Eighth Month 2000
Morning Session
Y2000-50 As Friends moved into worship, the following Friends were at the table: Lamar Matthew (YorkMM), Clerk, Josh Riley (HopCtr), Reading Clerk, Rachel Stacey (GnPwdr), Recording Clerk of Young Friends, Brian Massey (SndSpg), member at large of Young Friends, and Ronald Mattson (BStnRn), Recording Clerk. Introduced as sign interpreters for the session were Cindy Mease and Mark Markel of Hagerstown.
Out of the silence the Reading Clerk shared the Epistle from Britain Yearly Meeting. "...we are counseled away from despair, called rather to hope and to action ... and in testimonies we have celebrated the lives of Friends whose temperamental quirks have not prevented them making a difference to the world. We are each an aspect of the Divine nature with responsibilities to face the central question of how best we can prepare or play our part as a Spirit-led community."
Y2000-51 Introductions. Marsha Holliday, a member of Langley Hill and a sojourning member of Paris Monthly Meeting, France, was introduced.
Y2000-52 Search Committee. Liz Hofmeister (Bethes), Clerk, brought forward three names for the Nominating Committee, Class of 2003: Katrina Mason (Bethes), Nancy Beiter (WashFM) and David Hines (Rchmnd). All three names were APPROVED.
Y2000-53 Ad Hoc Search Committee for the Search Committee. This Committee presented a written recommendation to name Katherine Smith (MaurRv), reappointment, and Betsy Meyer (SndSpg) to the Search Committee of Representative Meeting for terms to 2003. As is our custom, these names will lie over until tomorrow's session.
Y2000-54 Young Friends' Concern. A Statement on Conscientious Objection. Rachel Stacy (GnPwdr) reported that there is a letter being prepared by Young Friends for each Monthly Meeting providing information on Conscientious Objection. Increased awareness of this issue is a concern to young Friends.
Friends spoke to this matter and mentioned that Federal Government Pell Grants are not available to men who do not register for Selective Service (whereas women are not affected) also mentioned the need to be concerned about Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (J.R.O.T.C.) units in high schools.
Young Friends were thanked for bringing this concern to the Yearly Meeting sessions and we look forward to receiving these materials in our local Meetings.
Y2000-55 First Reading of the Epistle. Carol Phelps (WashFM) read the first draft of the Yearly Meeting's epistle. It will come back to us in final form tomorrow for approval.
Y2000-56 Second Reading of the Nominating Committee Report. Susie Fetter (Roanok) and Katrina Mason (Bethes), Co-Clerks of the Committee, reported for the Committee. The proposed slate for the Committee appointments for the Yearly Meeting was brought forward, with five resignations being announced: John Sexton (GnPwdr) from Trustees, Thomas Fox (LangHl) from the Camping Committee, William Anthony (SndSpg) from the Friends House Trustees, Gene Hillman (Oxford) from the Friends United Meeting Board and Mimi Westervelt (GoosCr) from the Unity with Nature Committee. Friends APPROVED accepting the resignations. It was noted that Joseph Wright (WashFM), our appointee to the American Friends Service Committee Corporation, is now deceased.
As there were names included that were not present in the original slate read on Fifth Day, the completed slate will lie over until tomorrow's session.
Y2000-57 Manual of Procedure, Friends United Meeting, Second Reading. Rebecca Rawls (LangHl) read the proposed changes in the Manual of Procedure as they relate to recent changes in the committee structure of Friends United Meeting. (See R2000-5)
Friends United Meeting, formed in 1902 as the Five Years Meeting of Friends, is composed of Yearly Meetings, 20 as of 1999, and smaller Quaker groups. It meets triennially and publishes a complete record of its proceedings. It has jurisdiction over matters delegated to it by the constituent Yearly Meetings. Friends United Meeting may provide Yearly Meetings with advice and counsel, and Yearly meetings may look to it for advice and counsel.
Each Yearly Meeting in Friends United Meeting is entitled to appoint five representatives to the Triennial Sessions, plus one additional representative for each 1,000 members or major fraction thereof. Representatives form the Representative Body. Major matters and proposals are considered by the Representative Body and the plenary sessions. Routine procedural matters may be acted upon by the Representative Body and reported to the Plenary Session which reserves the right to approve, disapprove, or reconsider.
Baltimore Yearly Meeting's representatives, as of 1999 seven in number and including those persons also named to serve on the General Board, serve also for the three years following the Triennial sessions to which they were appointed as a support group for the relationship between Baltimore Yearly Meeting and Friends United Meeting. Each Yearly Meeting names one of its representatives to serve on the Nominating Committee and another to serve on the New Business Committee. These Committees serve the Representative Body only during the Triennial Sessions.
Between Triennial Sessions, the General Board is the responsible body and legal representative of Friends United Meeting. Each Yearly Meeting makes appointments to the General Board, the number determined by formula, during the year preceding the Triennial Sessions. As of 1999, Baltimore Yearly Meeting appoints two persons to the General Board.
The General Board has three four regular administrative Committees: Executive Committee, Priorities and Budget Committee Finance Committee, and Nominating Committee, and Program Coordinating and Priorities Committee. The Nominating Committee of the General Board includes one appointee from each Yearly Meeting, designated by the Yearly Meeting, from among those who are its General Board representatives. The General Board also appoints from its members such program Committees as are necessary to give continuity and support to the work of Friends United Meeting. Every member of the General Board serves on at least one of its committees.
Practice has been for each Yearly Meeting to name one representative to the Triennial Planning Committee for the upcoming Triennial.
Yearly Meetings contribute to a travel pool, administered by the General Board, to cover expenses of the designated number of representatives traveling to and from the Triennial sessions.
Details of the procedures of Friends United Meeting can be found in the pamphlet, Friends United Meeting Organization and Procedure, 1996, available from Friends United Meeting, 101 Quaker Hill Drive, Richmond, Indiana 47374.
Friends APPROVED the changes.
Y2000-58 The minutes were read, corrected, and APPROVED.
Y2000-59 Second Reading of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting Budget and Apportionments by the Stewardship and Finance Committee. Marion Ballard (Bethes), Clerk, brought back to the floor of the Meeting three items that needed our consideration:
1) Acceptance and approval of the Annual Budget;
2) Acceptance and approval of the Monthly Meeting's apportionments for 2001; and
3) Agreeing to sign a deed for a conservation easement on the Camp Catoctin property with the Department of Natural Resources of the State of Maryland. (See Y2000-14)
All three were APPROVED. Marion also noted that Stewardship and Finance Committee is still working on the Yearly Meeting's directive to this Committee to determine an equitable payment to Friends General Conference and Friends United Meeting from the Yearly Meeting. (It was noted that Friends United Meeting may establish an office in Kenya. If so, constituent Monthly Meetings may be asked to help finance this development.)
Y2000-60 Request from the Ad Hoc Committee on Education. Annette Breiling (SnVyPM), speaking for Ann Wilcox, Committee Clerk, brought a request for this Ad Hoc Committee to become a standing committee of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, to be called the Friends in Education Committee. (See Y2000-37) A 1996 draft proposal suggests the "committee should be composed of a minimum of six persons, but could be larger if there are sufficient interested Friends. There does not need to be any geographic criteria used in selecting members."
In the discussion that followed a Friend requested that this directive should be more specific and the number on the Committee and the Committee charge will need to be referred to the Manual of Procedure Committee. Another Friend suggested that the Committee, once formed, might be asked to assist the Nominating Committee in the regular appointment of Committee members. Other interests were spoken to, such as the need to remember those Friends who provide home schooling.
Friends APPROVED establishing the Friends in Education Committee. The Committee was asked to determine its mission and structure and bring the details back to Yearly Meeting sessions in 2001.
Y2000-61 A Minute on Population Concerns. Stan Becker (BHomew) spoke to his calling to travel among Friends to speak about population growth concerns. His concern to travel was endorsed by Baltimore Monthly Meeting of Friends, Homewood, Chesapeake Quarterly Meeting and Baltimore Yearly Meeting Representative Meeting.
He has been able to share his concern with Friends World Committee for Consultation, after traveling among several Yearly Meetings, including the Southern Appalachian Yearly Meeting and Association.
Stan was thanked for his presentation and for the labor he has undertaken, under leading.
Y2000-62 Program Committee. Sheila Bach, Clerk, noted that we are beginning to outgrow the facilities available at Wilson College. The Yearly Meeting is in the process of looking for another site and has visited several sites: St. Mary's College; Randolph Macon College; Mary Washington College; Western Maryland College; and Shenandoah University. Sheila noted that it is possible that the costs associated with a new site will increase the cost of Yearly Meeting sessions (and hence participants' fees). If necessary, we could return to Wilson College 30 July to 5 August 2001.
David Greene (BHomew) noted the hours the bookstore would be open before the end of the sessions.
Y2000-63 Memorial Session. The Reading Clerk read from the 1854 Yearly Meeting (Hicksite) Proceedings: (as reported in the Friends Intelligencer, 18 Eleventh Month):
Memorial for our deceased friends John and Susanna Jewett, the former an elder, the latter a minister of Deer Creek Monthly Meeting, were read, producing a solemnizing effect upon the meeting, and calling forth an expression of affectionate remembrance of the deceased, as well as feelings of gratitude to that Almighty Power who called them into his service in the morning of their day, and enabled them to fulfill so faithfully the labors assigned them.
He then read the Memorial Minute for Leah Felton (SndSpg), a minute prepared by the Indian Affairs Committee.* Out of the silence that followed Friends spoke to their love for Leah, and Walter Felton and the richness they brought into our lives.
As we closed, the Clerk said that there had been 49 deaths in our Yearly Meeting family during this past year. Four memorial minutes were received in the Yearly Meeting office.
(* Sandy Spring Monthly Meeting does not write Memorial Minutes, so the Indian Affairs Committee of the Yearly Meeting brought this Minute forward.)
Y2000-64 The final set of Minutes for this session was read, corrected, and APPROVED.
5 Eighth Month 2000
Evening Session
Y2000-65 Carey Memorial Lecture. Frank Massey (SndSpg) introduced Jay Marshall, Dean, Earlham School of Religion, Richmond, Indiana, as this session's Carey Lecturer.
Jay began his lecture by taking as his title the need within the Religious Society of Friends of "Reclaiming the Concept and Practice of a Universal Ministry." He reminded us that ministry was at the heart of early Friends' worship and that those who are called to minister were, and are, spiritually grounded and led. This concept of ministry rests on two very important theological expressions that are intentionally exercised toward others: grace and service.
He continued by reminding us that ministry is an invitation, an invitation to people to live under the transforming power of God. Ministry always calls us to "something." As Friends look toward reclaiming a universal ministry we will be able to see ourselves as participating in God's activitynot in a historical sense but in today's world and culture. We will come to value a community that cultivates ministry, we will learn to discern ministry in ourselves and others, and we will affirm the gifts of ministry when recognized.
6 Eighth Month 2000
Morning Session
Y2000-66 As we opened worship the Clerk read the State of the Meeting Report from Gunpowder Friends Meeting.
There are many areas, religious and temporal, which impact the spiritual health of the Meeting. We wish to be mindful of ways of encouraging punctuality in attending Meeting, developing new leadership for completing the renovations of the Meeting House, encouraging new and continuing outreach projects, coordinating and integrating our religious education program for all ages, and acting responsibly with our financial resources in a manner consistent with our faith.
At the table were Lamar Matthew (YorkMM), Clerk, Jonathan Watts (Rchmnd), Acting Clerk of Young Friends, and Ronald Mattson (BStnRn), Recording Clerk.
(The Clerk suggested that in light of our final business session and the time limitationsthat we follow the Biblical admonition: "strip and run.")
Y2000-67 Nominating Committee. Susie Fetter (Roanok), Clerk, brought forth the final committee report. Friends noted the name of Phoebe Anderson (LangHl) on the Epistle Committee had been withdrawn. Friends APPROVED the report. A roll call of Clerks for each Committee took place. (Refer to the committee listing in this Yearbook.)
Y2000-68 Ad Hoc Search Committee to name the Search Committee. The second reading of the names of Katherine Smith (MaurRv) and Betsy Meyer (SndSpg) took place. Friends APPROVED.
Y2000-69 Request for Endorsement of a Peace Roundtable Conference at State College. Chuck Fager (StaCol) said that the Peace and Social Concerns Committee of State College is planning a peace roundtable at their Meeting in Fourth Month 2001. Friends APPROVED endorsement.
Y2000-70 Right Sharing of World Resources. Roland Kreiger has written to Baltimore Yearly Meeting on behalf of RSWR, reminding us that they are now a separate organization and no longer part of Friends World Committee for Consultation, They request a one-time use of our mailing list for a fall mailing of their quarterly newsletter. APPROVED.
Y2000-71 Peace and Social Concerns Committee. Betty Hutchinson (Annapo), Clerk, brought two concerns that arose this week during Yearly Meeting sessions. The first was a "Minute in Opposition to the Missile Defense System."
The Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends at its 329th Annual Session, July 31 to August 6, 2000 at Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, minutes its opposition to any action by the United States government to deploy a Missile Defense System instead of relying on arms control and multi-national diplomacy for the nation's protection.
Deploying a Missile Defense System violates the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, encourages the resumption of a worldwide nuclear arms race, and undermines our relationship with Russia and China, who see our deploying such a system as a threat to their safety.
The tens of billions of dollars a missile defense system would cost can be better invested in meeting human needs.
APPROVED
The second minute was proposed regarding the U. S. sanctions against Iraq and the endorsement of the "Campaign of Conscience" initiated by the American Friends Service Committee and the Fellowship of Reconciliation:
Friends are deeply saddened by the effects of comprehensive sanctions on the people of Iraq. The U.S.--sponsored sanctions have lasted ten years. Inadequate supplies of food and medicine, lack of equipment to repair water and sanitation systems, and other results of the restrictions of the sanctions regime have had devastating impact on public health in Iraq. UNICEF estimates that the lack of potable water in many regions, destruction of the health care system, lack of basic medicines, and widespread malnutrition have resulted in the deaths of more than a million children under the age of five years.
Baltimore Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends supports and endorses the Campaign of Conscience for the Iraqi people sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee and the Fellowship of Reconciliation. The Campaign of Conscience will send desperately needed humanitarian supplies and equipment to the Iraqi people. The Meeting is aware that participation or financial contributions might be interpreted as a violation of U.S. law with potential penalties.
Baltimore Yearly Meeting also encourages Friends to contact members of Congress as suggested by Friends Committee on National Legislation in support of HR 3825. This bill would, among other provisions, change US domestic law to allow export of food and medicine to Iraq.
APPROVED
Y2000-72 Global Warming. Janney Wilson (GoosCr), Clerk, brought forth the following Minute:
Minute on the need to address global climate change
Protecting God's Earth and its fullness of life is of fundamental religious concern to the Society of Friends. The links among human activity, the dramatic rise in atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, and the rise of average global temperature are now of sufficient conern to lead us to action. Climate change is apt to affect everyone and everything: food; water; air quality; biodiversity; forests; public health; social order; and world peace. It is therefore an issue of great imporatnce for ecological sustainability, social and economic justice, and international diplomacy.
Because the United States uses much more energy per capita than any other nation, our policies to curtail greenhouse gas emissions will be crucial. We must consider not only the kinds of fuels used directly but also the energy embodied in all material goods we use. Our nation has long set a standard for others with its high levels of consumption; we must now provide an example by taking responsibility for the consequences of past and current behavior.
Involvement by religious communities in education and advocacy will be needed if policies to address global warming are to succeed in politics or practice in the U.S. We unite in urging individual Friends, Monthly Meetings, and other Friends organizations to seek Divine Guidance in understanding how to:
These are essential steps to protect life on Earth as God creates and sustains it.
This Minute has been approved by Philadelphia Yearly Interim Meeting and Friends now UNITE with this Minute. We would like this Minute sent to all Monthly Meetings within the Yearly Meeting for their consideration and tender concern.
Y2000-73 Epistle Committee. Carol Phelps (WashFM), Clerk, brought into our sessions the final draft of this year's Epistle, We accept this draft, after agreeing to add a sentence regarding the Yearly Meeting retreat, with the understanding that minor editorial changes may be given to the Committee. APPROVE. One Friend stood aside.
(Note: Because of the concerns raised the Epistle Committee took back the epistle to make changes. The Committee will bring the 2000 Epistle forward to the Fall Representative Meeting.)
Y2000-74 Epistle from Young Friends. Leslie Keffer-King (Harsbg), read the Epistle from Young Friends.
Epistle of the Young Friends of Baltimore Yearly Meeting,
Eighth Month, 2000
To Friends Everywhere,
Young Friends accomplishments last year:
(a) Minute on Same Gender Marriages
(b) Minute on Smoking at Conferences
(c) Fun State of the "Troops" after last year: Tired; pooped; exhausted; weary; worn-out; drained; fatigued; sleepy; zonked.
And thus the Focus of this year: Rebuilding, Revitalizing, Rejuvenating, Renewing, our community.
Hopewell/Opequon Conference:
Community through work, picking up trash, painting, walking in the woods with friends, fire circle building, marshmallows. Party around a bonfire. Opequon- walkie-talkies, silliness tempered by work, Asa's feet on the walls, dew, foam mattresses. Ghost stories and songs in the graveyard, black widow on the log. Long talks, love.
Oxford Conference:
The midnight fiery meeting room with out of control furnaces heating the mass of huddled bodies running to the outdoor coolness of Ethan and Julia's porch couch holding Ron's bearded presence and the electrically charged brain of Tom Horne analyzing the heat and flickering lights that illuminated the way to Abby's bright Inner Light of meditation and massage giving us focus to have our conscience raised by Fran's passionate concern for consciousness objection bringing peace and fulfillment of a basement buffet of salads and soups leaving us intellectually, physically, emotionally, and spiritually enriched.
Langley Hill Conference:
Love in the community, Dougm's (Doug Miller) bountiful burrito beans watched through the night, sleep (for once), affection, sharing on LOVE, friends together and peaceful rest.
Clearing Conference:
Rain the entire time, the woods filled with pools of mist as we trekked miles from building to building and back, searching for a place to sleep. We walked more miles, wandering out to the road and back again over and over, talking. Smoking area on the porch, clouds of smoke hitting us every time we stepped out. Clay workshop lots of fun. Stuffy bus ride, nice woman with big hair. Arriving four hours late. Eating ice cream on the last day gallons at a time.
Sandy Spring Conference:
Within the spiritual essence of the graveyard enhanced by singing, dancing, and flute playing to the full moon. Splashing in the fountain (but don't tell anyone), Posey Zuses' swinging pendulums touch invisible energy fields of ultimate Frisbee tournaments while dancers tease lighting in a torrential downpour followed by mud battles. Escape to cuddly masses inside.
Yearly Meeting:
"When Young Friends gather together we strive to foster a community built on caring, trust and love" (excerpt from the Young Friends "Gathering Expectations"). "Strive" is the operative word. Stresses in the community: dis-ease, breakdowns, separation, disrespect, strong differences of opinion, personality clashes, misunderstandings, food and sleep deprivation.
Despite these difficulties, Young Friends were spiritually enriched by a Peace workshop by Tom, Sufi dancing with Alan, Jim's dream workshop, Circle dancing with Peggy, an awesome dance (Young Friends really got down and jammed), powerful worship sharings, a stimulating Fishbowl discussion on sexuality and the most awesome array of talent the Coffee House has ever seen.
We feel through it all our love for each other has deepened and grown. We look forward to the coming year by reflecting on the query:
"What dreams do we have for our community that have not yet been realized?"
Peace Out, Love and Light
The Young Friends of Baltimore Yearly Meeting
Y2000-75 Epistle from Young Adult Friends. Abby Gaffron (StaCol) Co-Clerk of Young Adult Friends, presented their annual Epistle.
Epistle of the Young Adult Friends of Baltimore
Yearly Meeting, Eighth Month, 2000
To Friends Everywhere,
The Young Adult Friends (YAF) program has restarted this year after an almost two year hiatus. YAF: The Next Generation kicked off at the 1999 Annual Session with the nomination of co-clerks, recording clerk, treasurer, and others. We had an executive meeting in January at which we gained a mascot and worked on consolidating the mailing list for our newsletter and e-mail list.
Our first gathering was held in May at Snipes Farm in Pennsylvania. George Price led us in a sweatlodge, which was a powerful experience and brought our community close together. We also worked out the guidelines for behavior at our retreats.
At this year's Annual Session the main focus of our Business Meetings was the struggle to draw more people into our group, and how that could be accomplished. Tom Fox joined us for a workshop on integrating peace and nonviolence into our lives, and how to deal with anger and conflict. Although we were successful as seekers of the light, we were unsuccessful as seekers of the diner. We benefited from the offerings of the greater gathering as well as the Young Friends. We contributed to the interaction between Young Friends and adults by facilitating a fishbowl discussion on sexuality, spirituality, and same-sex marriage. We would like to thank all who participated.
In closing, we would like to say that we are doing just fine, and you will be seeing much more of us soon. Thank you.
The Young Adult Friends of Baltimore Yearly Meeting
Y2000-76 Junior Young Friends Epistle. Josh Williams (DunCrk), the new Clerk of JuniorYoung Friends brought us their Epistle.
Epistle of the Junior Young Friends of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, Eighth Month, 2000
To Friends Everywhere,
During the week the Junior Young Friends enjoyed many programs in which we grew together and learned more about each other. We started out playing a few games to build up our teamwork. We had a group discussion in which we chose our clerks and committees. We chose Josh Williams as our clerk, Sean Wilner as our co-clerk and Rosie Whitney as our recording clerk. In the afternoon we had a craft day. We tie-dyed shirts while some made other crafts such as painting. That evening we played with the Junior Yearly Meeting children, which was rireing but still a lot of fun.
For our service project we went to a state park and helped divert a creek by building a dam. More water goes into the pond now because of it. We also cleared the path that leads to the pond. After that we collected rocks and other natural objects to place in the middle of our circle during worship sharing. We discussed queries and our views about them. Later that evening we played water games at the pool, which was a lot of fun.
The next morning we attended the Business Meeting with the rest of the Baltimore Yearly Meeting attenders. Then we did the Sufi dances led by Alan Schintzius. After lunch we wrote our own quotes about life. That night was the all-age celebration where each age group had a different activity planned at its table. These included musical instruments, body art, and making masks. Our activity was making rainsticks and shakers at our table.
The overnight was a blast. We ate food, watched a movie, and did a blindfolded trust walk.
This week has been a joyful and enriching experience for all of us. While some of us came here not knowing anyone, we will all leave with many memories and tons of friends.
The Junior Young Friends of Baltimore Yearly Meeting
All Epistles were joyfully received by the Yearly Meeting.
Y2000-77 Registrar's Report. Laurie Wilner (LangHl) gave Registrar's annual report. It showed that we had approximately 445 Friends in attendance, with 35 Meetings represented. Laurie also gave us other statistics not normally considered. She said that at the Registrar's desk Friends had consumed 2 pounds of cream puffs, 6 pounds of Mini Hershey bars, 9 pounds of M & Ms, 4 pounds of party mix and 6 pounds pretzels.
She gave special thanks to Frank Massey (SndSpg), Sheila Bach (LangHl), and Rex Riley (Chartl). Final thanks were given to her son, Shawn, for all his assistance.
Y2000-78 Bookstore Report. David Greene (BHomew) thanks the 20+ volunteers who had faithfully helped in the bookstore. More than $9,500 worth of books were sold.
Y2000-79 The minutes were read, discussed, corrected, and APPROVED.
Y2000-80 Final Minute from the Clerk.
To parting Friends,
We have met once again in the warmth and beauty of a Pennsylvania summer. The countryside is as fair as the garden of the Lord, in sharp contrast to last year's parched vistas.
We, the Children of the Light, have come together to see how truth prospers among us. We have labored mightily with concerns that seem insignificant to the world. We have been given more Light to guide us as we seek ways to embrace Friends who have been led to minister. Matters of same gender marriage, unity with nature, Friends in education and many other deeply held concerns have been entertained with our tender diligence and care which is so very peculiar to our Religious Society of Friends.
We have felt the presence of the Holy Spirit in and among us. We have delighted in each other's company and found 10,000 joys as we walked, talked and danced in the Light. We welcomed new Friends and visitors and invited them to join us in our seeking.
We are ever grateful for the seasoned souls among us who have labored for so long to keep way open and bring Light to the paths that lead to a better place of love and understanding. Our young Friends are our present joys. They nourish us with their youth as we feed them with our dreams of a kinder, gentler world for all.
We leave this place where the fountain of every blessing has so freely refreshed us. Our hearts have been filled with hope and love to share with those at home and abroad.
Travel in peace until we meet again.
Lamar Matthew, Clerk, Baltimore Yearly Meeting